Deployment Decision In 10 Minutes

Before code, answer this table.

Question	If yes	If no
Is this a new public Windows app?	Packaged MSIX plus Store	Continue
Does it need notifications, startup tasks, file associations, or Store MSIX?	Package identity path	Continue
Does an existing installer need to stay?	Packaging with external location	Continue
Is this an internal xcopy utility?	Unpackaged self-contained may fit	Continue
Do you want automatic public updates without owning infra?	Store MSIX	Direct download means signing/update ownership

Recommended Defaults

New public app -> packaged MSIX -> framework-dependent -> Microsoft Store MSIX
Existing installer app -> packaged with external location -> current installer remains responsible
Internal utility -> unpackaged self-contained only after accepting runtime/update/signing responsibility

Runtime Decision

Distribution	Runtime default
Store MSIX	Framework-dependent
Enterprise MSIX	Framework-dependent or self-contained depending on IT deployment
Direct website download	Self-contained is usually easier
Xcopy/zip	Self-contained
Framework-dependent direct download	Only if runtime installation is part of installer/preflight

Output

Write this in the project docs:

Packaging model:
Runtime model:
Distribution path:
Package identity required for:
Signing path:
Windows validation machine:
Store/WACK gate: